I LOVE animals. Sometimes I get nervous I might squeeze them to death because I love them so much. I’m definitely that girl that stops and asks if I can pet your dog and then talks to it in a creepy, deep, baby voice. However, I don’t have any pets and there’s a few reasons why:

#1 Billions of humans in our world are starving to death. Animals have the means, natural instinct and motivation to hunt and feed themselves. We should be feeding those that can’t feed themselves.

#2 I feel as though our culture has gotten so involved in a codependent, dysfunctional pet/owner relationship. Animals don’t talk-they can’t complain, they don’t have an opinion, they love the hand that feeds them, most of them liked to be snuggled/pet, you can leave them and come back without a fight, etc. It’s a justifiable selfish relationship.

#3 Animals are animals. They need to run, hunt, be chased, catch their food, eat gross things we don’t like to see or touch, get dirty, clean themselves. These are things they don’t get to do when domesticated.

#4 In 2001, according to the Census Bureau via homelessnessinamerica.com, 35 million Americans were without homes. How can I coddle, support and spend money on something that could live and survive on it’s own when there’s human beings out there struggling like that? Whenever there’s a natural disaster, thousands swoop in to rescue the animals. But…what about the babies, children, families, homeless people, etc.? I get that it’s a lot easier to adopt a pet rather than a child or a family however, it allows human neglect to be acceptable.

#5 Owning a pet is another thing that perpetuates the idea of consumerism, which has messed this country up so badly. Your dog needs a cozier, bigger bed to sleep on, your cat needs a house to climb in or your goldfish needs a new tank setup so you swipe your plastic, putting yourself a little further into debt so your pet can…not thank you (because they can’t talk and don’t understand the concept of gifts)?

I have extreme points and I don’t think no one should have pets. I just wish everyone would assess what they spend on their pets, whether it’s love or money, and compare it to what they give to humans (i.e. loved ones, those in need).

So, instead of buying your dog a bed buy a homeless man one and I guarantee the goodness, love and appreciation you will feel will be much better than what you feel after buying an extra treat for your pet.